Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denis Hanks, who is also the executive director of the Plymouth Regional Economic Development Foundation, has resigned.

Hanks said he and his wife are moving to Florida, and notified the town yesterday of his plans.

His last day will be Nov. 1.

“This is a new chapter,” Hanks said Wednesday afternoon. “I’m going to be heading up an economic development consulting firm down there. I’m going to own the firm.”

Hanks, who has helmed the Chamber for 10 years and the Foundation for eight, said Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Operations Amy Naples will fill in while the Chamber finds his replacement.

Hanks and his wife have five children and seven grandchildren. They want to be near their youngest daughter who is attending dental school in Florida, Hanks said. He’s going to miss Plymouth, he added, particularly town officials and co-workers who have made his job a joy.

“I’m going to miss working with all of them,” Hanks said. “I have a great working relationship with people in town. I’m proud of all the things we did to boost the tax base in Plymouth.”

Eight years ago, the Chamber could barely make its payroll and membership was at an all time low, according to former Plymouth Industrial Development Corporation President Ed Santos. Hanks turned things around.

“He’s done a great job for the town of Plymouth,” Santos added. “He’s given so much to Plymouth in 10 exciting years. He was a man for his time.”

Hanks joked that he thrives on chaos and has enjoyed his time working to make the Chamber and Foundation economic forces in America’s Hometown.

“Without moving in here, we wouldn’t have been able to do 50 workshops,” Hanks said, referencing the Chamber’s home at 134 Court St. in Plymouth. “Two thousand businesses per year go through our workshops.”

Hanks and his crew have worked on 40 economic development projects during his tenure, including Mirbeau Inn & Spa at The Pinehills, Cordage Park’s latest incarnation, Industrial Park businesses, High Rock Cranberry Crescent’s development off Plympton Road, the Hampton Inn, Hilton Hotel, bringing a cruise ship into Plymouth and dozens of others.

Hanks’ shoes won’t be easy to fill. Not only did he lead the Chamber and Foundation, he sat on a number of boards and committees.